Small Victories: Mentoring Through Challenges

This is part three in a series of guest posts by TMP Director of Programs Dana Gold, who  shares more about her experiences with mentoring.

Today, as my mentee and I sat in a circle with other girls and their mentors playing a game, I tried very hard NOT to compare.

Quiet Deana played with sweet encouragement from her mentor. Competitive Micaiah’s mentor beamed at her winning ways. Aleeyah’s insightful contributions were proudly supported by her mentor.

I, meanwhile, laid a restraining hand on my mentees arm again and again as she yelled out answers, interrupted others and made bawdy, inappropriate comments to everyone around her.

As she raced off to the craft basket to grab as many pretty beads as she could jam into her backpack before being dismissed for class, I had to think to myself…is this working?

Mentoring is an unsteady path of subtle changes and small victories. Today felt like a day of no victory and zero change.

But as she looked at me before I corralled her into the classroom, I could see uncertainty in her eyes. She knew she wasn’t at her best. I didn’t need to tell her.

This time, I laid an encouraging hand on her shoulder and said, “Good luck on your test, honey. Try your best – I’m sure you can do whatever you set your mind to. I’ll see you next week.”

With that, I hope I wiped the slate clean. Next week, maybe we’ll journey a bit further down our path together with better results. As I remind myself yet again: small victories, subtle changes!

Via Mass Mentoring: Why Your Staff Needs a Personal Branding Plan, Too

As nonprofits, we often get so wrapped up in telling our organization’s story that we forget to tell the stories of the individuals behind the scenes.  Our friends at Mass Mentoring wrote a great blog post about why it’s crucial for your staff to have their own personal brand.

Check out the full story here.

Empowering Young Girls, Part 4: Strong Women Strong Girls

Strong Women, Strong Girls is a national not-for-profit organization that is creating communities of strong and successful women today, while supporting the strong and successful women of tomorrow. SWSG provides free, weekly mentoring sessions to pre-adolescent girls in low income, urban neighborhoods.  We also engage, train, and support undergraduate women to serve as mentors. We work to foster leadership skills, a sense of female community, and a commitment of service. Our model is focused on relationships, role modeling, and skill building.

SWSG loves women’s herstory month. We know that girls need role models that look like themselves and we believe it is important to share the accomplishments, struggles, and triumphs of girls and women in both herstory and contemporary times.  Each week during their mentoring sessions, our pre-adolescent girls read the biography of a woman who has excelled at a skill we aim to teach. We share stories of Bessie Coleman, the first female African-American pilot to teach the importance of determination and perseverance.  We plant seeds with the girls to build critical thinking skills and to highlight the work of environmental activist Vandana Shiva.   We use Mary McLeod Bethune’s story to reinforce the importance of lifelong learning.

If you flip through a typical textbook used in our school’s history classes, you will see exactly what the title promises…his story. I have found that the stories of females are often inserted as afterthoughts, footnotes, or, that they are simply missing. If we do not teach our children that females have in fact always contributed to society in meaningful ways, we will continue to reinforce the silly notion that women are second-class citizens.  We believe it is imperative for our girls to understand that women have been instrumental in computer coding, military advancement, scientific discoveries, social engineering, inventions, and a million other things…and we hope you do too.

Join Strong Women Strong Girls as we empower the next generation of females.  Learn more at http://www.SWSG.org.

Empowering Young Girls, Part 3: YWCA TechGYRLS

“I fit in. I just fit in differently,” says Brianna, a TechGYRLS participant. YWCA Greater Pittsburgh TechGYRLS encourages teen girls to step up. If they’re really into engineering, then TechGYRLS gives them a place to “own it.”

The YWCA’s TechGYRLS program has existed well before STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) became part of our everyday vocabulary. Now we hear all over the news about the importance of STEM education, especially for girls and African Americans who are underrepresented in higher paying STEM careers.

Since 1997, the YWCA Greater Pittsburgh TechGYRLS program has stressed the importance of science and math to more than 600 underserved girls ages 10-14. TechGYRLS is a hallmark program of the YWCA USA developed to address the widening gender gap in exposure and interest in technology for girls.

“In TechGYRLS, you make many different things that require a different way of thinking. We use our brains, and it really gives us a chance to see how we can think and collaborate,” says Tafani, another TechGYRLS participant. “This program empowers girls by letting us know that we can create the same things as boys. I know that I myself have grown in confidence knowing that I can design and create many new things if I just think about them.”

And TechGYRLS is all about designing, creating and thinking. Girls assemble a table made out of paper, build Lego robots, and apply math skills into clothing alterations and creations. Even their Rainbow Loom bracelets turn into an algebra project when the girls have to calculate a fair price for their hourly work.

Besides hands-on, STEM-based projects, TechGYRLS introduces girls to life skills, mentors, pre-college experiences, and STEM career exploration, as well as online reading and math tutoring. Girls visit Chatham University monthly through a Saturday Life Skills Academy and go on educational outings to local museums and corporations where they meet real-life scientists and engineers.

Leah, one of several TechGYRLS instructors/mentors, says she was concerned at first coming from a different background than the girls. But that concern quickly disappeared. “My experience has taught me that you don’t need to look or act the same way. You are a constant in their lives. I’m able to give the girls feedback and support.”

Leah says she has built a relationship with the girls that goes beyond science. “If I’m there on my off days, they are excited to see me and tell me all about their day.”

Dawnise, another instructor/mentor, describes one teen who went from a shy participant with limited interaction to a confident and outgoing young lady.  After a field trip to a local technology company, the participant expressed interest in becoming an engineer. “I feel such a sense of pride that I may have contributed to her interest in a STEM career,” Dawnise says.

And that’s the ultimate goal of TechGYRLS: improved grades, increased confidence surrounding STEM subjects, and better awareness of future STEM careers. With all this at stake for teen girls today, why not be a little different? TechGYRLS dares them.

Empowering Young Girls, Part 2: Gwen’s Girls

Seventeen-year-old Hayley had never met her father, and her mother had been in prison or on drugs most of Hayley’s life. To Hayley, school had no purpose and led nowhere. She thought her best chance for happiness in life was to get a boyfriend, and her best chance for survival was to get pregnant and move out on her own, living on Public Assistance. She had no hope for her future.

Unfortunately, Hayley’s bleak outlook is all too common among at-risk girls in our communities.  But Gwen’s Girls sees girls like Hayley as a community responsibility—our responsibility. They are our daughters, our nieces, our cousins, our sisters—our girls.

To address their needs, Gwen’s Girls connects girls from chaotic family situations, poor areas and violent neighborhoods to the vital prevention and intervention programs they need to overcome barriers. We provide a wide variety of programs to meet the individual needs of each girl, ranging from our high intensity interventions, such as our group home and foster care/reunification services, to lesser intensity services such as our G.I.R.L.S. Club afterschool program, case management and community-based services.

Our ultimate goal to help at-risk girls inspire a new destiny for themselves – something that Hayley previously thought was impossible. You would be so surprised to see the changes Hayley has made to her life since becoming a Gwen’s Girl. Even she was surprised by how her life has changed:

“Gwen’s Girls has taught me so much. Here you will not be judged because of your background. The staff members encourage me to do better in school, set goals, build strengths, discover my talents, and know where I want to go. Without them, I would not be so motivated.”

“I am planning on graduating in June and going to college to become a nurse. I know I have what it takes to become successful. I am now focused on school. I do not have a boyfriend because that is a distraction. I know that despite whatever family situation you come from, you can make it if you learn to depend and believe in yourself.”

An investment in girls is an investment in our community and our future. To learn more about how you can support the work of Gwen’s Girls, please visit our website (www.gwensgirls.org) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/GwensGirls).

Empowering Young Girls, Part 1: Girl Scouts of Western PA

Girl Scouts enjoy new adventures through travel. These girls hiked to the top of Mount Katahdin in Maine in 2013.

For more than a century, Girl Scouts has provided girls with more ways to learn and lead than any other organization. As we embark on our 102^nd year of building girls of courage, confidence, and character, we are committed to providing even more impactful opportunities to each girl who makes the Girl Scout Promise.

To stay relevant to today’s girls, we’ve adapted our approach to fit their changing needs and schedules. Gone are the days where being in a troop is the only option. Many Girl Scouts do choose the troop pathway, but increasingly more and more girls are enjoying the benefits of Girl Scouting through special programs, travel, and camp.

Be A Friend First (BFF)—a name that girls selected—is a Girl Scout program that helps middle school girls develop healthy relationships, prevent bullying behavior and become peacemakers in their schools and communities. It gives girls the skills to derail the bullying behavior when it happens, or prevent it from happening in the first place.

BFF most often is integrated into after-school programs and uses activities such as role playing, creative writing, and discussion exercises to explore issues like peer pressure, stereotyping, gossip, and cliques.

With guidance from an adult, girls talk about the values of a healthy relationship, like honesty, loyalty, integrity, kindness, and compassion, and learn how to stay true to these values in their own lives. They gain the self-confidence to stand up for what they believe—as well as the skills to intervene if they witness cruel or hurtful behavior among their peers.

Travel opportunities allow girls to explore new places and culture, and meet new people. The possibilities for Girl Scouts to connect with the world around them are limitless.  They can go on a council-sponsored trip, join a travel club, or plan their own trip – and use their Cookie Program proceeds to help make it happen.

Girls can also choose a Girl Scout destination – a nationally-sponsored trip exclusively designed for Girl Scouts. Many Girl Scouts in western Pennsylvania are planning to travel to Our Chalet, a Girl Scout destination in Switzerland, in August 2015. There girls will explore the Swiss Alps, discover Swiss culture, learn about leadership and environmental issues, and make new friends in an international Girl Scouting environment.

Camp programs in Girl Scouting can include outdoor challenges, nature and environmental activities, or summer resident camp. All camp programs are girl-centered and designed to help each girl find her confidence, discover her leadership potential and have fun in a supportive, all-girl environment.

Since 1923, Camp Redwing in Renfrew has been the place where girls go for the traditional resident camp experience. Campfires, cookouts, songs, art, nature, canoeing and archery are a part of every session.

“My girls would love to be at Redwing every week of the summer,” said Lisa Richert, a Girl Scout troop leader from Bethel Park. “And they all want to work there someday.”

Camp Redwing is the perfect choice for girls who love horses. Programs for every level are available to help girls learn new skills and become expert riders and learn how to groom and care for horses.

GSWPA owns nine camps throughout western Pennsylvania and serves girls in grades K-12. You can see a map of camp locations at gswpa.org/camps.

Girl Scouting activities like programs, travel and camp are girl-led, providing the opportunity for girls to learn by doing in a supportive, non-competitive environment. The Girl Scout experience gives girls the confidence and the tools to lead, helping them become the citizens who will make a difference in the world.

To learn more about what Girl Scouting offers, visit gswpa.org or call 800-248-3355.

Camp Redwing is the perfect choice for girls who love horses.

4-Part Series: How Local Programs are Setting the Bar for Empowering Young Girls

This week, we’re excited to launch our first guest post series.  March is Women’s History Month and this four-part series focuses on local mentoring programs that are doing innovative, smart and effective work to empower girls in our community.

Stay tuned as we feature a guest post from a new program each day this week.  We know you’ll be inspired and excited to read about how they’re supporting young women and helping them realize brighter futures.

Our Guest Post on the Nonprofit Marketing Guide Blog

TMP’s Kristan Allen is putting her thinking cap on for Kivi Leroux Miller’s Nonprofit Marketing Guide blog.

We’ve often touted the amazingness that is Kivi Leroux Miller and her Nonprofit Marketing Guide website.  We’re excited to be featured as a guest contributor on the NMG blog.  Check out Kristan Allen, TMP Director of Marketing and Communications, writing about the importance of key messages and how you can make it easier to craft and keep them.

Read “Putting the ‘Key’ Back in Key Messages”

Local Volunteer Recognized Nationally for Dedication to RIF Pittsburgh

JoEllen Leech. Photo courtesy of Reading is Fundamental.

Volunteers often go above and beyond in their dedication to an organization and that’s certainly the case for JoEllen Leech, volunteer coordinator for Reading is Fundamental Pittsburgh’s Everybody Wins! literacy mentoring program.  JoEllen was honored nationally with the 2014 Anne Hazard Richardson RIF Volunteer of the Year Award.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette featured a great story about JoEllen, her work with RIF Pittsburgh and the award she will be presented next month.  Congratulations JoEllen and RIF Pittsburgh!

“A Small Thing, But Isn’t This What It’s All About?”

As the new Natural Mentoring Coordinator at The Mentoring Partnership, my job is to think about ways that we can engage adults in the community to mentor the children already in their lives or act in mentor-like ways. The idea that “it takes a village” to raise a child or that “all kids are our kids” can feel incredibly daunting, even unrealistic in today’s demanding and often isolating world. Aside from my new job, I am a busy mother of two young children who often leave me running ragged. Doesn’t this mean I’m excused right now from participating in this idealistic pursuit?

The thing is, I’ve always been busy to some degree, as are most people. I may not have a lot of extra time and energy, but there are small things I can do, everyone can do, to create a community where kids felt seen and cared for.

Today, instead of a quick bear hug goodbye as I dropped my son off at preschool, I sat down with him and the other children to read a book, a book about dinosaurs who love underpants. It was zany, lively and fun. It led to two more books, because that kind of exuberance is practically irresistible. Best of all, it was a moment of genuine connection for all of us. It’s a small thing, but isn’t this what it’s all about?

Kristine Pugliese is TMP’s new Natural Mentoring Coordinator.  She is dedicated to learning more about how to encourage adults everywhere to be more intentional about their interactions with youth. Through increased knowledge and awareness of natural mentoring, we hope to better advocate for all types of quality mentoring for youth in our community.